Michael W. Traugott, Ph.D.

Research Professor, Institute for Social Research; Professor of Communication Studies and Adjunct Professor of Political Science, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan

Michael W. Traugott, Ph.D., is Research Professor at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. He is also Professor of Communication Studies and Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, at the University of Michigan. Dr. Traugott's research interests involve studying the validity of survey responses, including self-reported voting, and evaluating polls used by journalists, especially political polls.

In his role as a Gallup Senior Scientist, Traugott advises Gallup on survey methodology, election polling, and political communication. He was a primary adviser to Gallup's 2012 Election Review. He is working with Gallup on an extensive research and development program on polling in a changing political environment and on using innovative new modes to collect data.

Dr. Traugott has written extensively about campaigns and elections, public opinion, the use of polls in journalism, and survey methods. He has served as a consultant to a number of news organizations on their election coverage, including WJR Radio, The Detroit News, and ABC and CBS. He has coauthored or co-edited a number of books, including Presidential Polls and the News Media; The Voter's Guide to Election Polls; Election Polls, the News Media, and Democracy; Voting Technology: The Not-So-Simple Act of Casting a Ballot; and The SAGE Handbook of Public Opinion Research.

Dr. Traugott has been active in the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) for more than 30 years and has served in a number of roles, including as President in 1999-2000. In 2008, he served as chair of the AAPOR Ad Hoc Committee on the 2008 Presidential Primary Polling. He has also been active in the World Association for Public Opinion Research and has served in various positions, including as President from 2006-2008.

Dr. Traugott received his bachelor's degree in political science from Princeton University. He received his master's degree and doctorate in political science from the University of Michigan.